Well, this can't be a good sign. Samsung has told CNET that the company will not be launching its Windows RT tablet in the United States, citing a lack of demand and consumer confusion. After I spent an afternoon in my country's largest electronics retailer, it's hard not to agree with Samsung.

It sounds like Microsoft is getting a well-deserved backlash for their lock-down/WinRT/Metro tactics. It's nice to see them on the receiving end for a change, instead of smothering all competition with their market presence and weight alone. The only problem is... their main competition (Apple, Android) is just as locked down... but if Windows keeps holding traditional x86 machines by the balls and Android continues to dominate tablets and ARM systems, then at least theoretically we should benefit from one not growing too much stronger than the other.

Fair enough--but do you know of an easy, sure-fire way of rooting my LG Optimus V to install an alternate Android mod without risking damaging it? Or even just gaining root? I don't. And I've looked.

Methods of rooting involve knowing such seemingly completely unnecessary information as the exact model of screen used by the phone, connecting the phone to a computer (typically Windows is used in guides), following a long series of commands exactly, and uploading an alternate firmware. And that's just to get root access!

That is pretty much the definition of "locked down." Having to hack the living shit out of something and jump through hoops just to get root.

Android is not quite as locked on a higher level as iOS, but at a lower level it sure as hell is.